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Last month, a worker was injured when a stacked pile of tubular steel broke loose and crashed on top of the worker’s leg at Macomb’s warehouse. The worker went to the hospital, though no reports were released on the severity of his injuries.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) investigated and found the company failed to secure the steel in addition to failing to report the injury within a 24-hour period. Though the two original violations amounted to $12,000, OSHA also found a lack of guardrails to protect workers from fall hazards, implementing damaged or improperly maintained slings to move heavy equipment and not providing proper safety equipment to safely operate an overhead hoist. These additional safety violations attributed to the extra $18,000, making the total amount $30,000 worth of fines.
OSHA is Fining Several Companies in the Area for Safety Violations
Macomb is not the only company OSHA is cracking down on in the Ohio area. The State Paper & Metal Co. based in Toledo was fined $22,800 for multiple safety violations for an unsafe buildup of flammable paper dust that collected on the rafters, clusters of debris in walkways and storage areas, improperly maintained forklifts, failure to train workers on safety protocols and not providing protective gear to employees.
Menards Inc. was fined $12,500 for multiple safety violations, as well. The company skimped on forklift training and haphazardly evaluated its workers. Additionally, the forklifts were found to be improperly maintained and many had mechanical defects that should have been repaired.
KDS Construction Inc. was fined $10,000 for safety violations relating to a worksite in Maumee. According to OSHA reports, workers who were using pneumatic nail guns were not provided with eye protection. Moreover, the worksite was cited for multiple fall hazards throughout the worksite.
Hopefully, OSHA’s Crackdown Helps Protect Ohio Workers
These types of serious safety violations are absolutely inexcusable. We’re glad to see OSHA finally cracking down on unsafe workplaces in Ohio. Hopefully, this recent onslaught of citations will encourage employers to properly maintain equipment, provide proper protection, use proper guard rails to protect against amputations, provide training to employees and prevent fall hazards across the state.
Our workers’ comp attorney that fights for workers who have sustained on-the-job injuries in Ohio